For this week’s contest, we want to highlight a lovely book of personal essays. This slim and powerful collection will resonate with anyone who has found joy—and soothed sorrows—in nature. To win a copy of Kathleen Dean Moore’s Wild Comfort, leave a note in the comments: Where is your favorite outdoor reading place? Deadline: Friday, March 19 at 10 a.m.
Here’s an excerpt from Marianne Peters’ BookPage review of Wild Comfort:
Employing a naturalist’s understanding of the world and a poet’s gift for language, Moore faces nature’s bracing truth and endless cycles of birth and death, wrestling to reconcile her own eventual death with a life of joyful surrender. “The bottom may drop out of my life,” she writes, “what I trusted may fall away completely, leaving me astonished and shaken. But still . . . there is wild comfort in the cycles and the intersecting circles, the rotations and revolutions, the growing and ebbing of this beautiful and strangely trustworthy world.”
Also, congratulations to the winner of last week’s Monday contest, Charlotte, whose favorite book published by HarperCollins is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
At the beach, on a chaise lounge, under an umbrella…if I can keep my eyes open!
I live in Charleston SC and am able to use a creekside dock on one of the barrier islands nearby. I relax, read and watch osprey, pelicans and dolphins. Even the occasional manatee will make its way up from Florida and swim our creeks.
My fav reading place in the summer is on my back porch in my big comfy chair where I have been known to nod off in the sun with a book in my lap.
I live in the country on 10 acres. My back deck is shaded by large trees. I love sitting out there with my feet propped up on the bench sides in a rocker chair with a big glass of tea on the table. I will often lose track of time when I’m reading out there. It is definitely my favorite outdoor place to read.
This winter I moved into a house with a wrap around porch. I am looking forward to warmer weather when I can sit out on the porch relaxing with my book, drinking ice tea and watching the world go by.
Washington Square Park! I was lucky enough to live right off the park for two summers when in undergrad, and even now that I’ve moved to an outer borough, I’ll still make the trek back to the park to read on a nice day. The West side of the park is the perfect combination of sun, shade, people-watching, quiet, and ambient traffic noise. Can’t wait for it to get warm again!
We have a tiny open air wellhouse complete with old hand pump up at our cottage (which has been in the family since my grandfather was a small boy) and I love to sit in there with the dog curled up under the bushes behind the wellhouse, watching the lake in front of me and listening to the silence. Sometimes I don’t get a whole lot of reading actually done there but even if the book is neglected, I still get up from the chair feeling peaceful and refreshed.
Usually my fave place is in my room, on the bed. I know, weird place but I like to be comfy. In the Spring I like the back porch.
My fave reading place would have to be my parents’ backyard. up under a canopy of trees, out on a blanket…Lots of memories.
I love to read in my backyard while my kids play.
My favorite outdoor reading place is my car! I am usually taking the kid to some athletic practice so I am left with time to spare. I like having the windows open to the breeze and letting activity fly by me as I read in my little cocoon.
My favorite place to read is wherever I can find a quiet moment. It may be in my car waiting to pick up my son at soccer practice with a gentle breeze blowing. Sitting on my deck on a warm day or evening with all the sounds of nature around me is another favorite. Sometimes just the sofa may be the only spot for reading; at that moment, the sofa becomes my favorite.
My favorite outdoor reading place is by any form of water (beach, river, creek, stream, lake). The sound of water moving helps transport me to the world of the book I’m reading.
My favorite place is in my backyard which is surrounded by the beauty, serenity and tranquility of the foothills. Sunshine, blue skies and the soothing dry air make this my ultimate haven for reading anytime.
In Mother of God Cemetery in the summer. It is a very large, old cemetery with enormous trees and benches scattered about. I can think of no place more peaceful, quiet, and restful.
I love to read on the sun-warmed balcony of my apartment. And on mild nights, after my kids are in bed, I go back to the balcony to enjoy the cooling air and another chapter.
My favorite place to read is on top of a cupboard in my pantry. It’s the perfect size for me – big enough to cross my legs, rest my books on my knees, or curl up. It’s about four feet off the ground in front of a window, which overlooks my backyard. The food shelves are to my right – within perfect reach if I want a mid-page snack.
The best part is closing the door so no one can find me – though everyone knows this is usually where I am.
My favourite place to read is in my backyard – even in the rain. I have a covered porch swing that sways gently in the breeze – I fluff it up with a lot of pillows to make it “lounge-able.” My chickens circle around me clucking to the rhythm of my porchswing. And my Chihuahua usually lays in the warmest spot closest to the swing. I can’t think of anything better.
My favorite place is Valley Green Park,which is
part of Fairmount Park in Roxborough,PA. The Inn is over 100 years old and it is a peacful place to read,watch the ducks,birds,horses, waterfalls and covered bridges. There are plenty of benches in shady places to read and enjoy nature.
My fav outdoor reading place is on my front porch swing with the cat sitting next to me.
My back porch swing – a glass of wine at my elbow – is simply the best!
During the summer, one of my favorite places to read is in an Adirondack chair under the shade of a massive maple or oak tree, beside a shimmering blue lake in northern Minnesota.
I love to read outside under a tree.
My favorite place to read is in my backyard, on an old wood swing, in the shade of the pine trees while my dogs run and play around me and the horses usually come up to the fence to see what I’m up to.
My favorite place is in my hammock in my backyard, where I can also listen to the birds sing.
My favorite outdoor reading place is my swing, stuffed with cushions and pillows and a tall glass of sweet tea cooling on the sidetable. My dog, Beau, is usually snoring beside me and I’ve left my cell phone inside. Perfect book, perfect setting, perfect companion.
To tell the truth, I don’t really enjoy reading outside! However, sometimes I read on the balcony, stretched out in a lawn chair. Ah, the pleasure of being alive and being a reader!
My favorite place to read is by the pool at my mother-in-law’s house. She lives close enough for me to go visit her and I can bring my dog. We sit outside by the pool on nice days and visit, enjoy the outdoors and read whatever novel or mystery that cannot be put down.
Always on the swing chair surrounded by Rabbits and Deer and birds all around me enjoying the day.
My favorite place is on my deck while basking in the afternoon sunshine!
On the deck just outside my kitchen door. Especially because it’s so easy to access, I can pause there several times a day to read.
Poolside…in a chaise, soaking up some sun (safely!), stopping to say “hi” to my middle school students as they ‘drip by’, and reading at least one (and probably starting another) novel each day.
Sitting on a comfy chair outside in whatever sunshine I can find. I also enjoy sitting somewhere where I can see the trees and my birds feeding at the feeders.
In my hammock with a bottle of water on a nice day
My favorite outside place to read is in a glider overlooking the Stillwater River. It’s very peaceful watching the water rush by and listening to the birds.
My favorite place to read is in the bathtub! There are no distractions and lying in a warm tub of water with bubbles is heaven.
My favorite outside place – by far- is the deck of the Port Jefferson NY- Bridgeport, CT Ferry. The solitude and gentle lapping of waves against the ship are so conducive to reading.
Bronx Mike
My favorite place to read…spread out a blanket on our country land with my daughters; the cats purr and knead, the breeze brushes by,and I, well, I am content…
My favorite place to read…spread out a blanket on our country land with my daughters; the cats purr and knead, the breeze brushes by and I, well, I am content…
My favorite outdoor reading place is in a string hammock between two shady trees – comfort and coolness in our hot Georgia summer.
I have a swing in my backyard under some trees. I’ve plant a variety of groundcovers, flowering plants, etc. here. The area opens to a green space where birds graze and squirrels run around. It smells wonderful; it’s peaceful. A great place to read and doze!
My favorite place to read is settled in a hanging swing chair from a tree alongside our lake cabin in beautiful Minnesota!
My favorite place to read is in my backyard on my deck. I can listen to the birds, be near the trees and enjoy the weather, even when it may be cool or rainy. When I look up from my book I can see the bird feeders and my indoor cats looking out at the feeding birds.
I have a small front porch that is shaded — it is perfect to read in my reclining chaise so I can occasionally stop reading and enjoy the birds, deer, and other wildlife that come to our country haven.
I adore curling up in a wicker chair on our screened porch to read. You are outdoors with all of the indoor comforts!
I like to read on my front step. This way, while I am reading about a world far away, I am also present in my real world as it passes by.
My favorite outdoor reading place is next to the pool during the summer. The kids can have their fun in the pool while I have my fun reading! It’s wonderful!!!
My favorite outdoor reading place is in the backyard.Sitting in the swing under the maple tree.I do this everyday when I get off work to relax.
I love to read in a hammock under a gazebo in my backyard
where the wind blows through, the sun shines in, but the bugs can’t get to me. Opening to my bookmark I’m transported to another place in another time. Retirement is sublime!!
When I was a kid, I loved to climb a tree, sit among its branches and read my books. I actually found a very comfortable spot even though branches might not be that cozy. To this day, I wish I could still read there without getting strange looks from people. I’ve resigned myself to reading at the beach, on my porch or in my chaise lounge in the backyard.
I’m happy just about anywhere, as long as I’m reading. I especially love my patio, which faces a desert wash, and there are usually lots of beautiful birds singing, and Gambels Quail families moving about.
I also love being in a room with my sister – and we’re both reading – the murmurs and soft comments are fun to hear.
“Monday contest: Find solace in nature”
In the winter I love to snuggle under my afgan on my couch with a good book (this is Florida). I live surrounded by a state park and in the summer I walk out into the woods and read under a tree. I read in restaurants, on buses and in parking lots. Let me get caught by a long train, I always have a book with me.
I am getting antsy for spring since it has been cloudy and cold for months. The snow has only melted in the last 2 weeks. I love bringing the dogs and cats out in the backyard and sitting on the patio after dinner with my current read.
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In our area we have the “Emerald Necklace”, a system of parks in the Cleveland area that ring the city, thus the name…After a hike on woodland trails, I like to unwind with a good book, still breathing in the magnificent spring air.. As twilight develops, the small trees that have retained leaves through the winter, begin to dance in the evening breeze. I call them “ghost trees”. I’ve been meaning to look in a reference book for their name.. Their leaves are silky and white and very visible in the darkness…
I love to read on my back deck (at our alternate home) that is facing the marsh and sound. It is the most peaceful place in the world to me and i can really escape in my reading.
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My favorite outdoor place to read is on our backyard deck which is quiet, pretty & a good place to enjoy a lemonade along with my book!
What a gorgeous book I wish I would win. My absolutely favorite place to read is in the woods on our farm, surrounded by nature and absolute quiet, aside from the language of critters hidden everywhere.
my favorite place to read is any where i can take a book to…
My favorite place to read outdoors is on my swing in my backyard. I love to listen to the birds that come to my feeder while I am relaxing and reading a good book.
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